Pallet



H. S. ROBERTS Feb. 7, 1967 PALLET 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1965INVENTOR.

HAROLD S. ROBERTS ATTORNEYS H. S. ROBERTS Feb. 7, 1967 PALLET 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1965 s OT. W S. a D M L O R AM Y B FIGSATTORNEYS H. S. ROBERTS Feb. 7, 1967 PALLET 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov.1, 1965 INVENTOR.

HAROLD S. ROBERTS BY Van/MM ATTORNEYS 3,302,593 PALLET Harold S.Roberts, Pawtuciret, R1,, assignor to Roberts tiipei Company, Lincoln,RL, a corporation of Rhode s an Filed Nov. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 595,813 8Claims. (Cl. 108-56) The present invention relates to a load-carryingpallet. More particularly, the present invention relates to a palletthat is formed of cardboard materials and that is light in weight and isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Load carrying pallets are normally constructed of wood materials, sinceheretofore wood has been the most inexpensive material available fromwhich pallets can be fabricated. However, wooden pallets are notentirely satisfactory in use and are easily damaged, resulting inrelatively shortened periods of use. Furthermore, wooden pallets aresubject to normal destruction, such as rotting and breaking of slats,and, in addition, have been found to be relatively heavy, particularlywhen subjected to moisture. Other longer lasting materials have beenutilized in the formation of load carrying pallets but have either beentoo expensive to use or have not satisfied general characteristics whichare required for pallet use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aninexpensive load carrying pallet that includes members that areconstructed essentially of cardboard materials, thereby materiallyreducing the weight of the pallet.

Another object of the invention is to provide a load carrying palletformed of cardboard materials that is simple to assemble, light inweight, and inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object is to provide a pallet formed of cardboardmaterials that includes a pair of inner members and a pair of outermembers, the inner and outer members cooperating to produce a relativelyrigid construction that enables the pallet to carry heavy loads thereon.

Still another object is to provide a pallet that is formed from alow-cost material and that includes interlocking inner members that areenveloped by outer members that cooperate with the inner members todefine a rigid load carrying construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pallet embodied in the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the pallet with portions of the innermembers broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, with portions brokenaway and other portions shown in section, of a corner of the pallet.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the loadcarrying pallet embodied in the present invention is illustrated and isgenerally indicated at it}. The pallet is defined by an outer assemblythat in cludes a first outer member generally indicated at 12 and asecond outer member generally indicated at 14. The

United States Patent O fi ice 3,3d2,53 Patented Feb. 7, 19 57 firstouter member 12 includes a horizontal panel 16, to which a side panel 18is joined and which is located in perpendicular relation with respectthereto. A second horizontal panel 2% is joined to the side panel 18 andis located in spaced parallel relation with respect to the panel 16. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the lower panel 20 is somewhat shorter than theupper panel 16, which causes the panel 16 to overhang the panel 20. Thesecond outer member 14 is constructed similarly to the outer member 12and includes a first horizontal panel 22 to which a side panel 24 isjoined. A second horizontal panel 26 is joined to the side panel 24 andis spaced from the panel 22 in parallel relation thereto. Incontradistinction with respect to the first outer member 12, the secondouter member 14 is formed such thatthe upper panel 22 is somewhatshorter than the lower panel 26. Thus, it is seen that when the outermembers 14 and 12 of the outer assembly are located in the assembledposition thereof, the edges of the upper panels 16 and 22 and the lowerpanels 26 and 2.6 are disposed in abutting relation, and the outerassembly then, in effect, forms a symmetrical sleeve wherein the opposedpanels 18 and 24 define opposed side walls of the pallet 10.

In order to accommodate the forks of a lift truck, both the side panels18 and 24 are cut out to define spaced openings 28 and 30, the openings28 being formed by cutting out flaps 32 and turning them inwardly sothat they are disposed substantially at right angles with respect to thepanel 18. The openings 30 are similarly formed by turning flaps 34inwardly until they are disposed substantially at right angles withrespect to the panel 24.

Located interiorly of the outer assembly as defined by the outer members12 and 14 is the inner assembly that is defined by inner membersgenerally indicated at 36 and 38. The inner members 36 and 38 are formedsubstantially similar in configuration to the outer members 14 and 16and are adapted to be assembled in interlocking relation. As will bedescribed hereinafter, the interlocked inner members are received withinthe sleeve defined by the outer members 14 and 16 and cooperate with theouter members to define the pallet components. In the finished assemblyof the inner and outer members, the inner members in effect define asupporting inner structure that locates the panels 16, 2G and 22, 26 ofthe outer members in fixed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner member 36 is shown includingan upper horizontal panel 40, a side panel 42 joined to the horizontalpanel 40, and a lower horizontal panel 43 joined to the side panel 42and spaced from the panel in parallel relation with respect thereto. Theupper panel 40 is somewhat larger than the lower panel 43 and isdisposed in overhanging relation thereto. Cut out from the lowerhorizontal panel 43 of the inner member 36 are a plurality of flaps 44that are disposed in a substantially vertical plane, while similarlyformed flaps 45 are cut out from the panel 40 and project downwardly invertical relation. A slot 46 is formed in each of the flaps 44 andprovides for receiving a fiap 45 that is formed with a similar slot 47therein. As shown in FIG. 4, the outermost edge of each of the flaps 44is formed with an ofiset projecting portion 48 that is adapted to extendthrough an opening 50 in the panel 40 for engaging the underside of thepanels 16 and 22 of the outer members 12 and 14 that are located inoverlying relation with respect thereto. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, theopenings 50 are formed when the flaps 45 are cut out from the horizontalpanel 40 and are pivoted to the vertical position thereof. Similarlyformed openings 51 are also formed in the panel 43 when the flaps 44 aremoved to the vertical position thereof. It is also understood that eachof the flaps 45 is formed wit-h an offset projecting portion 52 thatextends through an adjacent opening 51 for engagement with the undersideof the panels 20 and 26 of the outer members. The offset projectingportions 43 and 52 thus provide a supporting structure for engaging theouter member panels and thereby insure a rigid construction.

Since the pallet is symmetrically formed and universal in use, the sidepanel 42 that defines a side wall of the pallet is cut away to defineflaps 53. The flaps 53 are bent inwardly to a position that issubstantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom panel 43 and inthis position define openings 54. It is seen that the openings 54 in theside panel 42 are spaced sufiiciently apart for receiving theconventional forks of a lift truck.

The inner member 38 is constructed similarly to the inner member 36 andincludes a relatively short hori zontal panel 56 to which a side panel57 is joined in perpendicular relation with respect thereto. Joined tothe side panel 57 is a horizontal panel 58 that is located inperpendicular relation to the side panel 57 and that is somewhat longerthan the panel 56. The inner member 38 is also formed with interlockingflaps, and, as shown in FIG. 2, these flaps are formed by cutting outthe panels 56 and 58 to form openings 59 and 60. The flaps formed fromcutting out the panels 56 and 58 are similar to flaps 44 and 45 and areinterlocked in the same manner as described above. These latter flapsare also formed with projections that extend through an adjacent opening59 or 60 to engage the inner surfaces of the panels 16, and 22, 26.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the larger inner panels and 58 overlap todefine a central overlapping area. Flaps 62 and 64 are cut out from thepanels 453 and 58 in this overlapping area to define openings 66 and 63,the plane of the flaps being inclined with respect to the flaps 44 andformed in the inner member 36 and the corresponding flaps formed in theinner member 38. The flaps 62 and 64 are also slotted for interlockingand cooperate With the other inner member flaps to lock the innermembers 36 and 38 together. It is seen that in the assembled position ofthe pallet, the longitudinal aXis of the inner members 36 and 38 extendsin perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the assembledouter members 12 and 14. Thus, the parting lines or mating edges of thepanels 16, 22 and 20, 26 are at right angles with respect to the matingedges of the panels 40, 56 and 43, 58. This further lends stability tothe assembled unit.

The pallet 10 is assembled by interlocking the inner members 36 and 38and then placing the outer members 12 and 14 therearound in overlyingrelation. A suitable adhesive is employed for joining the mating edgesand surfaces of the inner and outer members and cooperates to furtherinsure a rigid unit. In the assembled position of the pallet, theopenings 28 in the panel 18 provide for receiving the forks of a lifttruck. Corresponding openings formed in the panel 24 are provided forthe same purpose. Similarly, the openings 54 in the side panel 42 andcorresponding openings formed in the side panel 57 insure that thepallet has universal use in connection with its load carrying function.The flaps that define the openings for receiving the forks of the lifttruck also provide additional supporting elements for the horizontalWalls that they engage. Since the panels of the outer and inner membersare located in overlapping relation With respect to an opposed panel,rigidity of the unit is further assured.

All of the component parts of the pallet, that is, the outer members 12and 14 and the inner members 36 and 38, are formed of a cardboardmaterial. By utilizing cardboard, the inner and outer members are easilyworked and assembled in the finished position thereof. Furthermore, thecardboard material is light in weight and relatively inexpensive. Thus,the pallet of the present invention may be utilized until itdeteriorates and then can be discarded at a relatively little cost.Because of the fact that the pallet of the present invention is light inWeight, it can be used as a shipping pallet and as such decreases theshipping costs involved. If required, the gauge of the cardboard can bevaried in accordance with the weight to be carried.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manitest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangemens of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the paricular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a load carrying pallet, an inner assembly including a first innermember and a second inner member that interengages said first innermember, both said inner members including horizontal panels that arelocated in spaced relation with respect to each other and to which sidepanels are joined, the horizontal panels of said inner assembly havingedges that are disposed in mating relation, the side panels of saidinner assembly defining the side walls of said pallet and havingopenings formed therein for receiving the arms of a fork-lift truck, anouter assembly including outer members that define a sleeve in whichsaid inner assembly is located in telescoping relation, said outermembers having opposed side walls that are removed from the side wallsof said inner assembly and in which spaced openings are formed forreceiving the arms of a fork-lift truck.

2. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 1, said outerassembly including a first outer member and a second outer member thatinterengages said first outer member, both said outer members includingspaced horizontal panels that are interconnected by a side anel, theouter member side panels defining the opposed side walls of said outerassembly, exposed edges of the horizontal panels of said outer membersbeing located in abutting edge-to-edge relation.

3. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 1, each of said innermembers having pairs of adjacent flaps cut out of the side panelsthereof that are turned inwardly, said flaps thereby defining theopenings in the side walls of said inner members.

4. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 2, the openings inthe side walls of said outer members being defined by inwardly turnedflaps that have been cut out from the outer member side panels.

5. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 1, a plurality offlaps being cut out fro-m the horizontal panels of said inner membersand projecting generally in a vertical direction, each of the verticalflaps joined to one horizontal panel being aligned With a vertical flapof the other horizontal panel and being interlocked therewith, whereinsaid inner members are located in interlocking and engaging relation.

6. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 5, each of thevertical fiaps joined to one of said horizontal panels having an offsetouter edge that projects through the opening defined by the alignedvertical flap of the other horizontal panel, said offset outer edgesengaging the underside of an outer member that is located in overlyingrelation with respect thereto.

7. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 6, each vertical flapbeing disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane in whichthe flap with which it is interlocked is disposed, said flaps havingslots formed therein which receive the flap that is located ininterlocking relation therewith.

5 8. In a load carrying pallet as set forth in claim 1, the componentparts of said pallet including said inner members and said outer membersbeing formed of a cardboard material.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Cahners 10856Huck 108--57 White l0858 X Brown 10856 Hess 108-58 Anderson et a1. 10856FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A LOAD CARRYING PALLET, AN INNER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FIRST INNERMEMBER AND A SECOND INNER MEMBER THAT INTERENGAGES SAID FIRST INNERMEMBER, BOTH SAID INNER MEMBERS INCLUDING HORIZONTAL PANELS THAT ARELOCATED IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER AND TO WHICH SIDEPANELS ARE JOINED, THE HORIZONTAL PANELS OF SAID INNER ASSEMBLY HAVINGEDGES THAT ARE DISPOSED IN MATING RELASION, THE SIDE PANELS OF SID INNERASSEMBLY DEFINING THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID PALLET AND HAVING OPENINGSFORMED THEREIN FOR RECEIVING THE ARMS OF A FORK-LIFT TRUCK, AN OUTERASSEMBLY INCLUDING OUTER MEMBERS THAT DEFINE A SLEEVE IN WHICH SAIDINNER ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED IN TELESCOPING RELATION, SAID OUTER MEMBERSHAVING OPPOSED SIDE WALLS THAT ARE 90* REMOVED FROM THE SIDE WALLS OFSAID INNER ASSEMBLY AND IN WHICH SPACED OPENINGS ARE FORMED FORRECEIVING THE ARMS OF A FORK-LIFT TRUCK.